“I share responsibility.”
“Don’t. You’ve gone on to a greatness I never thought possible—president of an entire planetary alliance.”
“I am one of five presidents of a confederation.”
“As opposed to a federation. Technical defining terms, both are groups brought together under a defined purpose. Confederation simply gives more of an illusion of retaining control of their own internal affairs.”
“We let planets control their own citizens.”
“Outside the Riftgate, but to gain access inside, you have specific standards.”
“I won’t be founder to a welfare state. Citizens inside must have employment—one of your lessons.”
“What jobs are most prevalent for those untrained?”
“We train our military. All they do is train. My most experienced soldiers last saw combat thirty years ago.”
“An army of green soldiers to throw at battle-hardened Mokarran.”
“My concerns are growing along with an influx of faulty weapons being marketed as Interplanetary Mining Corporation specialties.”
“The IMC would never allow such a blemish. It only provides customers with the best.”
“So its fees prove,” Maxtin agrees.
“The UCP lacks its own weapons factories? The economic benefits would outweigh the extra quality the IMC puts into their weapons.”
“Contractually, UCP weapons are not allowed outside UCP space.”
“The armistice treaty prevents providing such weapons to those engaged in rebellious activities against the Mokarran, not if I wish to keep the UCP out of the war.”
Emuukha understands his former pupil’s ploy. “Maxtin, stop leaving UCP space. Someone will tie you to those actions, and your impeachment will help no one.”
“Deception and misdirection—useful in the political game.”
“Fabrication and appeasement also bring about results.”
“The citizenry feel war will appease them. Revenge has become the growing motivating factor among the new and young citizens.”
“Introducing the entire Zayar species would balance that out. We don’t want a war with the Mokarran.”
“Those votes will negate war favor.”
“Maxtin, you did learn. You lose nothing by this. You become a hero to those who wanted the Zayar in the UCP. You keep controlling votes, and anyone who opposes you doesn’t lose face because you didn’t directly defeat them.”
“I plan my strategies. No pawns wasted. Nothing left to chance.”
“This entire Zayous affair as well?”
“I simply turned this to my advantage. I was unaware of the planet’s pollution status. I could have had the needed cleansing chemical ship in under guise.”
“Too much could still draw in speculation. The Mokarran never knew how vulnerable we are.”
“Once the official announcements of Zayous joining the UCP are made, I’ll have a large shipment of several needed trade items sent in. Qarban R16 will be included. With steady trade practice engaged, most won’t recognize…”
“They might recognize Zayous doesn’t export.”
“Historically, they didn’t in the past, so fresh supplies won’t raise eyebrows. Even self-sufficient planets import.”
“An entirely new generation of people are in power positions after thirty years. They won’t remember how Zayar used to be.”
••••••
“THE COUNCIL AGREED to this?”
Thierry escorts Maxtin from The Conclave.
“In thirty years they’ve been unable to clean enough of the surface to make returning a viable consideration.” Maxtin shakes his head. “They’ve forced everyone to live on battle cruisers and regulated all birthrates.”
“To evacuate one of those battle cruisers will displace thousands.”
“They’re only allotting me the smallest battle cruiser in the fleet,” Maxtin says.
“The Celesta. I doubt it will match a newest Mokarran battle cruiser.”
“The Mokarran have an innate fear of Zayars. They won’t take a risk challenging even the smallest of our ships. I want them in fear of our weakest ship. Celesta displaces the least number of people, and The Conclave’s in agreement to open an embassy on Parliament.”
“A full staff of Zayars could give a thousand a new home.” Thierry releases a grin.
“I have access to the chemical Qarban R16. It should expand the dome enough to allow some resettlements.”
“To remove one in a thousand will give so many breathing space.” Thierry asks, “How many are on the Celesta?”
“A thousand. If I fail, their displacement will be permanent.”
“A gamble, but life for those on the battle cruisers must be at a breaking point for them to authorize this.”
“A part of our nature is to be deceptive. I offer them a straight solution, and they assume I have ulterior motives,” Maxtin reaches the airlock door.
“Ulterior motives are in our nature.” Thierry offers his hand to the Admiral. “I’ve more Qarban R16 to collect until we are officially part of the UCP.”
Maxtin grips his captor’s hand.
••••••
THE CELESTA’S AIRLOCK releases. Dozens of Zayars with duffel packs push past the Admiral. None of them demonstrate respect with a proper glance into his eyes.
Professor Emuukha greets his pupil, “Admiral, meet Captain Quiqui.”
“You’ve been reassigned.”
“Yes, Admiral, transferred due to my previous engagements against the Mokarran.”
“Before the Battle of the Twin Suns?”
“Your entire crew faced the Mokarran—all one hundred of us.”
A skeleton crew. The base number to operate this ship. The Conclave had its own motivations in supporting me. Maxtin realizes he was played for the first time since he was elected.
“My first officer, Xiuhcoatl.”
He salutes.
“Xiuhcoatl?” Maxtin recognizes the name, “The Xiuhcoatl who spoke for supporting the Osirians before the Battle of the Twin Suns?”
“I was politically active until my recent military reinstatement.”
“You fought against the Mokarran?”
“During the Colm border system skirmish.”
“Skirmish. One medium-class Zayar cruiser destroyed three Mokarran heavy battle cruisers.”
“I was a helmsman on the Sadiya then, Sir. We only destroyed two.”
“Propaganda then.”
“No, Admiral. Reinforcements arrived and helped dispatch the third. After the battle the Sadiya spent eight months in dry dock for repairs.”
“Captain Quiqui, experienced as your crew must be, are all—”
“Outspoken,” Quiqui answers Before Maxtin is able to ask. “The Conclave has seen fit to give you a ship. All on this ship have been vocal about supporting the UCP.”
“You as well, Emuukha?”
“They want me out.”
“No respect for the wisdom from a renowned professor.”
“My station will be on the Celesta,” Emuukha says. “They’re afraid with my knowledge of political science, history, and government I might rally all the disillusioned aboard the battle cruisers to take action. Why else would I be on the planet’s surface breathing air better reserved for someone who might discover a solution
